Nocturne

Nocturne is a courageous show, with the comedy keeping things light in order for the drama to weigh itself accordingly. Filled to the brim with thoughtful and evocative performances from the entire cast, it'll leave you thinking about it long after the lights have gone down.... full review

Nocturne is an incredibly powerful story. What stood out about this particular production was the relationship between Father and Son. Powerful turns from Ryan Lisman, the Son, and Steve Voldseth, the Father, drive this story forward with such nuanced performances. On a technical note, I was very impressed with the amount of material Mr. Lisman had to work with and how he delivered it so effortlessly while making it so specific. Without giving away spoilers, Mr. Voldseth's monologue and scenes with Ryan were so moving that they brought me to tears. I could really see the Father's memories and life playing out before his eyes. My only criticism is not really directed to this performance but to the play itself - I feel as if more time could ha... full review

A beautiful show with painfully human characters brought to life by raw, unflinching performances, clever stagecraft, and sharp direction. This solo show turned ensemble piece is an intriguing and inventive theatrical exploration of a profound piece of writing, and the actors do great work bringing it to the stage.... full review

Absolutely knocked out by this incredibly written story that explores how lives and relationships can be changed forever by one unanticipated moment of devastation. Ryan Lisman’s monologistic performance of Son is seamlessly natural, yet charged with emotion — no easy task. The supporting actors — Steve Voldseth (Father), Lauren Holiday (Mother), and Isabelle Hahn (Actress) — portrayed their characters beautifully while adding further dimension to the heartbreaking narrative. ... full review

Among the precious gems at this year's Hollywood Fringe, Nocturne shines brightly as one of the finest productions. With its unique storytelling approach, the protagonist unveils the death of his sister as if reading a novel, initiating the drama. He delves into a horrifying event that shakes his entire life, yet the narrator remains stoic, not a single facial expression changing. This only intensifies his agony and pain, piercing deep into the audience's hearts. The 15-year-long ordeal unfolds, and the protagonist, despite becoming a scarred soul, spews lines like poetry, intertwining with props and supporting actors, gathering and dispersing like the pieces of a Joan Miró artwork, creating a grand composition. Ryan Lisman, an astounding... full review

A gripping drama beautifully rendered by Ryan Lisman and a stellar cast. Wonderful to see powerful material so fully realized at the Fringe. ... full review

Nocturne is a personal story and a study of grief and loss, and the cast led by Ryan Lisman and directed by Damon McKinnis, were able to encapsulate the horror behind personal grief and how tragedy can drastic affect people. ... full review

This show really blew me away! I am a big fan of Adam Rapp and this performance delivered in every way. I was moved to laughter and tears several times. This is definitely a must see at this years Fringe!... full review

Beautifully written, cleverly staged, and well-acted, but there's a lack of dynamism to the performance and I think the script itself.... full review

An uneven but ultimately effective exploration of grief and grief-caused madness. ... full review